Red Kites in Dumfries and Galloway A reintroduction project Issue: Autumn 2013 Helping to give nature a home Red kite image Ian Saunders RSPB Scotland s work in the Dumfries and Galloway Area is supported by:
Green/yellow R, 2004 female on her nest at site 5 Page 2
The breeding season MARCH Over the years we have ascertained by monthly nest visits that some kites lay their eggs on the last few days of March. So, as you can imagine the heavy snow event of 22 March was not ideal. APRIL Still cold with periods of easterly winds but the snow eventually melted. Sadly, the bodies of two kites were discovered - victims of the same weather conditions that devastated the surrounding farmers early lambing season. The breeding season then got underway in earnest. That final ingredient sheep's wool used to line the nests (holding 1-4 eggs) became readily available now that the snow was gone and sheep were back in the fields. MAY Now a constant routine of checking active nests while looking for new ones. A month on and the behaviour of some incubating females changed, they were sitting higher in the nest indicating that the first of the year s chicks had hatched. Less welcome was the growing number of failed nests, the result of the cold, late spring. Page 3
Summary of Breeding red kites in Dumfries and Galloway: 2003-2013 Year Pairs Pairs Pairs Pairs % pairs Total Productivity located laying hatching fledging laying that young young/laying eggs eggs young fledged fledged pair young 2003 4 4 1 1 25 1 0.25 2004 7 3 2 2 66 3 1 2005 14 12 10 10 83 18 1.5 2006 19 17 14 14 82 27 1.59 2007 22 21 19 19 90 38 1.81 2008 32 30 26 25 83 53 1.77 2009 41 40 33 31 77.5 58 1.45 2010 52 51 49 47 92 98 1.92 2011 65 58 53 53 91 100 1.72 2012 73 69 56 52 75 97 1.4 2013 86 77 65 63 82 91 1.18 total 415 382 328 317 83 584 1.53 Page 4
The breeding season continued JUNE By now we just about know the final breeding figures, which are in the summary chart opposite, a rise of 11% in the population from last year. Thirteen pairs failed, not as bad as last year, but still reflects the poor weather at egg laying/incubation. Almost all 13 failed at incubation, with at least one pair failing at the small chick stage. From the middle of June onwards we begin nest visits to assess the number of large young, which in any normal year then go on to fledge successfully. This year, the total number of fledged young was estimated to be a minimum of 91. JULY A handful of nests were visited to confirm large young to complete the season, mostly new first-time breeders, which are always a wee bit later than the more experienced pairs. On 19 July, the final two nests were confirmed as having single large young individuals at both site 2 and site 75. A call from a member of public as to a young kite on the road led us to finding the nest site of pair 77. The single young had abandoned the nest, probably under onslaught from crows (judging by damage to the back of its head, where it had been pecked, leaving it with the proverbial Mohican ). We use the first appearance of fledged young at the feeding station at Bellymack Hill Farm as a benchmark. So, the first juvenile was seen at the feeding station on 31 July, which is approximately a week later than usual. Incidentally, the previous late show at the feeding station by juveniles followed the equally poor winter of 2010. Page 5
400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 Population chart 0 Number of kites Number of breeding kites 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year Page 6
Population and Expansion Population The population of red kites in Dumfries and Galloway is approximately 300-400 individuals. Like all species, the early years of red kites are their most dangerous. A third of fledged young will be lucky to survive their first winter, although if they do, their future survival is more certain. Owing to some young kites propensities for dispersing, some after fledging and some the following spring, survival and population numbers can only ever be an approximation. The number of breeding kites, 154 individuals (77 pairs), is a much more reliable indicator of our minimum population in the region. Expansion Within Dumfries and Galloway red kites are now breeding in sixteen 10 kilometre squares, from Creetown in the west to Thornhill in the east. Anyone familiar with the area will notice that the expansion of the D&G population is affected by conifer forests and our high hill ranges like the Rhins of Kells, Merrick and Fleet ranges, which kites tend to avoid. Kites can disperse great distances from their natal nest sites, so anyone with knowledge of the presence of kites outwith the shaded area on the map overleaf can assist the project by contacting us at the RSPB Crossmichael office, on 01556 670464. Page 7
As ever, I acknowledge the assistance and patience granted to the project from the ever growing group of landowners, farmers, gamekeepers, volunteers and members of the public within Dumfries and Galloway, many thanks to all. George Christie, RSPB Scotland Red Kite Officer The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB and RSPB Scotland) is a registered charity: England & Wales no 207076, Scotland no. SC037654